Results 21-40 of 7,675 for at speaker:Charles Flanagan

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (1 Feb 2024)

Charles Flanagan: ...xe1;naiste quite rightly mentioned the multifaceted role played by the Defence Forces. One important role over the last 50 years has been the provision of additional, and oftentimes required, security at Portlaoise Prison. My understanding is that the bill for such extra security provided from the Department of Defence through the Defence Forces is in excess of €2 million per...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (1 Feb 2024)

Charles Flanagan: It is a matter of some controversy but we will see how matters pan out however. As Chair of the committee, I acknowledge the crucial role played by Defence Forces personnel in Portlaoise at the prison over what I think has been a period of 50 years, oftentimes in very difficult and challenging circumstances on the island. They were always there and it was something which the people of...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (1 Feb 2024)

Charles Flanagan: ...select committee, I again welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and thank officials for the comprehensive briefing material provided to the committee and for the level of engagement with the committee, which is on a most satisfactory level. I thank the Tánaiste for ensuring that. The proposed...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (1 Feb 2024)

Charles Flanagan: I have four brief issues before handing over to Deputy Berry for concluding questions. Further to the questions on the Passport Office, I wish to make reference to foreign birth registration. This is the first time I have seen this figure of 35,000 applications received last year. It does not surprise me. These figures will continue to increase in similar terms given the volume of young...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (23 Jan 2024)

Charles Flanagan: 181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the steps he proposes to take to reduce the unacceptable and inordinate delays for driving tests, currently standing at in excess of six months, at the driving test centre in Portlaoise. [2753/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ireland's SIDS Strategy, Impact of Climate Change and Update on Development Co-operation: Department of Foreign Affairs (23 Jan 2024)

Charles Flanagan: I have received apologies from Senator Joe O'Reilly. I welcome our guests and those in the Public Gallery. Our agenda item today is engagement with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland's small island developing states, SIDS, strategy, the impact of climate change in countries supported by Irish Aid, and an update on matters of development co-operation. The SIDS strategy was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ireland's SIDS Strategy, Impact of Climate Change and Update on Development Co-operation: Department of Foreign Affairs (23 Jan 2024)

Charles Flanagan: Senator Ardagh was on the line earlier but she does not appear to be there now. If she returns, we can deal with her issues. From my own perspective, I want to acknowledge the importance of this work, particularly in recent times at COP28. I applaud the manner in which the loss and damage fund was agreed and established, and I acknowledge our partnership with Germany, which shared the seat...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice: Motion (5 Dec 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I rise to strongly support the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Commissioner, Drew Harris, in their work, in particular at this time of challenge to the State from the far right and the far left. The first duty of any State is the safety and security of its citizens. In this regard Fine Gael has never been found wanting. It faced down decades of threats of a most brutal type from Sinn...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Ukraine: Discussion (5 Dec 2023)

Charles Flanagan: Apologies have been received from Senator Joe O'Reilly. Several members are participating from their offices because we still have a Covid-type hybrid operation. I welcome to the Public Gallery the ambassador of Norway, H.E. Ms Mari Skåre, and the Lithuanian ambassador, H.E. Mr. Marijus Gudynas. I also welcome the third secretary from the Palestinian Mission, Dania Dasouqi, and Ms...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Ukraine: Discussion (5 Dec 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the ambassador for her comprehensive update on a range of issues of fundamental concern to Ukraine and its people. I am pleased she has had an opportunity to present directly to the committee before the end of another year. I will not go to committee members for questions at this stage because the chair of the foreign affairs committee, Mr. Oleksandr Merezhko, has waited patiently...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Ukraine: Discussion (5 Dec 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Mr. Merezhko. That was strong and powerful. Due to the importance of events at the plenary session of our Dáil, which will commence at 4.10 p.m. with an address by the Taoiseach, I will somewhat curtail questions. I know Senator Craughwell is not a Member of the Dáil but these issues could have consequences for the Seanad as well, in the event of votes going a particular...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Ukraine: Discussion (5 Dec 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I do not see Deputy Stanton's hand raised online but I understand he is present. He may be gone to the Chamber. There were a number of questions, in particular on the matter of children, the conference at the behest of Canada and the ongoing issue of sanctions and counteroffensives. Mr. Merezhko may have comments or observations on the issues raised by members of the committee. Then I...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I have received an apology from Deputy Carthy. Deputy Stanton will be along later. With regard to the meeting, the Dáil has ordered that the Supplementary Estimates for public services in respect of Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs be referred to this committee for consideration. On behalf of the select committee, I welcome the Minister of State with...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Charles Flanagan: We can wait. I call Deputy Berry to speak on Vote 27. I should have reminded the Minister of State at the outset that we are still operating something of a hybrid here as a Covid legacy. I see Deputy Stanton online and it is open to other members to join online. I should have alerted the Minister of State to that at the beginning. My apologies.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I was briefly reminded of the passport services when I saw Ms Penollar with the group. However, she is no longer in that role. I thank her for her work in the Passport Office and more particularly for the work she is now undertaking at a different portfolio within the Department.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Charles Flanagan: We will come back to Vote 20, on which Deputy Berry has completed his questions. I will speak briefly on Vote 27. I acknowledge what members have said and the positive relationship they have with the Department and its officials serving both at home and abroad who continue to undertake fine work for and on behalf of Ireland. The Minister of State specifically mentioned humanitarian...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I remind the Deputy that the current Israeli ambassador appears to be far more active in public and political engagement than any of her recent predecessors. In fact, under our private business, we have a request from the ambassador to address the committee. She has appeared at the committee on more than one occasion without the benefit of speaking. I know that she is very keen to engage...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (22 Nov 2023)

Charles Flanagan: 80. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date on the provision of an ASD unit at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51190/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Budget 2024, Official Development Assistance, COP28 and Ongoing Humanitarian Situations: Dóchas (21 Nov 2023)

Charles Flanagan: This afternoon we are meeting representatives from Dóchas to discuss the reaction of their members to budget 2024 and the official development assistance spending in 2024, to look ahead to COP28 and to update the committee on the ongoing humanitarian crises and situations in areas of challenge throughout the regions. I am particularly pleased to welcome Ms Rosamond Bennett, CEO of...